Whelks
There is a newly emerging fishery in the Gulf of Maine targeting the waved or common whelk (Buccinum undatum). This is a common subtidal species along the western Atlantic coast from Labrador to New Jersey. Whelks in Maine have traditionally been landed as an incidental by-catch of the lobster fishery, with only a handful of harvesters utilizing specially designed whelk traps in a directed effort. The product is typically shipped live for mostly ethnic (oriental) markets in Boston and New York City. A cottage industry also exists that produces pickled meats, and creates shell ornaments. Although no official records exist, landings in past years have routinely been less than fifty tonnes (in shell) per year. Within the past year, however, there has been an ever-increasing demand from Asian markets to dramatically increase the present Maine waved whelk landings to levels that could quickly deplete the base stock. Low-level processing has begun in at least one coastal community in response to these markets, and a plant in Portland is being equipped to process much larger quantities. There have been efforts in at least three areas of the coast (Portland, Matinicus, and Lubec) to improve the harvesting, processing and marketing potential of whelks.
A search of the scientific literature back to 1982 revealed the existence of no research on this species in the Gulf of Maine, or for the United States in general. However, in countries where directed whelk fisheries exist or are imminent, numerous biological, population, and management studies have been reported, and many state either observed negative effects on population structure and densities, or anticipated, similar effects that are likely in the absence of suitable management strategies. The Maine Department of Marine Resources has recognized the immediate need for research on this emerging fishing resource. An emergency regulation was implemented in July, 1996, and the current permanent regulation was effected on September, 1996, to provide time for assessment of the new whelk industry.
Click here for Regulation
WAVED WHELK
(
Buccinum undatum)
Classification:
Phylum: Mollusca Class: Gastropoda
Description:
Waved whelks are medium sized, univalves with both axial and spiral ridges on their shell. When their soft body is exposed, it is white with black splotches. Two distinctive features of a whelk shell are an oval aperture and a siphonal notch.
Habitat: Waved whelks can be found along the Atlantic seaboard from the Arctic to New Jersey. They live subtidally to depths of about six hundred feet.
Movement:
Whelks have a powerful muscular foot that glides on a film of mucus which they secrete.
Respiration:
Respiration is accomplished through the use of a gill located in the animal's mantle cavity.
Ingestion:
Waved whelks are primarily scavengers feeding on dead or dying marine organisms. They use their radula (or tongue) to scrape flesh form their prey. This file-like tongue is replaced as it is worn off.
Growth: These snails grow rapidly to their adult size of two to four inches in length. These mollusks grow larger in the northern part of their range.
Excretion:
Wastes are passed from the kidneys and intestines into the mantle cavity where they are washed out of the body.
Nervous System:
These snails have well-developed simple eyes and sensory tentacles that respond to light and other stimuli. Nerve masses are concentrated in the head region.
Circulation:
Like most mollusks, whelks have an open circulatory system involving a two-chambered heart, vessels, and several blood sinuses.
Reproduction:
Following breeding, females release masses of whitish eggs in large rounded capsules. These egg masses are attached to objects such as kelp stalks. Miniature whelks hatch out of these capsules. These egg cases are often called 'fisherman's soap' because they produce a lathery secretion when rubbed with water.
Common names:
'northern whelk', 'edible whelk', and 'European whelk'
Predators:
cod, wolfish, sea stars, and man
Commercial Value:
A 'by-catch' of the lobster fishery, 1992 landings were 15,954 lbs. valued at $3541.00.
Other Gulf of Maine Species:
Dogwinkle (
Thais lapillus), Ten Ridged Whelk (
Neptunea decemcostata), Stimpson's Whelk (
Colus stimpsoni), and Channeled Whelk (
Busycon canaliculatum)
For additional information, contact Peter Thayer at
pete.thayer@maine.gov
DEPARTMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES
CHAPTER 13 - Whelks
13.01 Harvesting of Waved Whelk
A. Definition: Whelk refers to waved whelk (Buccinum undatum).
B. It shall be unlawful to fish for or take whelk by any means other than a trap.
1. No more than three traps may be fished on a single line and buoy
2. Each buoy and trap must be clearly marked with the Whelk Permit number followed by
the letter "W".
3. Each whelk trap must have an escape vent located in the bottom half o the trap. The vent shall measure not less than 1 1/2 inches x 1/2 inches square or 1 ½ inches in diameter, if circular.
Exception: This section shall not apply to the by-catch of whelks taken from lobster traps by licensed lobster fishermen. A person who harvests whelks as a by-catch from lobster traps is exempt from the 3-trap limit, the marking requirement, and the vent requirement of this regulation.
C. It shall be unlawful to raise, haul, or transfer any whelk trap from any coastal waters during the following time:
1. Night. During the period 1/2 hour after sunset until 1/2 hour before sunrise from June 1st to October 31st, both days inclusive.
2. Weekends. During the period from 4 PM, Eastern Daylight Savings Time, Saturday, to 1/2 hour before sunrise the following Monday morning from June 1st to August 31st, both days inclusive. Exception: During the period of a Hurricane Warning issued by the National Weather Service in effect for any coastal waters of the state.
D. It shall be unlawful to possess any whelk with an overall shell length of less than 2 1/2 inches.
E. It shall be unlawful to harvest, or assist in the harvest of whelks unless the harvester is the holder of a commercial fishing license or is covered by a commercial fishing license. In addition it shall be unlawful for the operator of a boat used to harvest whelks to engage in the harvest of whelks without being the holder of a Whelk Permit as issued by the Commissioner of the Department of Marine Resources. Any person may take up to ½ bushel of whelks for personal use per day without a license or permit.
F. Product harvested from areas which are closed for the harvest of soft-shell clams due to marine biotoxins, must be processed in the State of Maine and shall be tagged by the harvester at the time of harvest.
G. Tags: (to be used only on containers of whelks harvested from areas described in F)
1. Tags will be provided by the processor and will contain the following information:
Processor
Processor address and phone number
Dealer
Dealer address and phone number
Harvester
Harvester Whelk Permit Number
Harvest Date
Harvest Area
Quantity of shell stock.
2. Each container will be tagged
3. Processors will keep records of the issuance of tags and the number of containers tagged for each harvest/shipment lot.
H. The Commissioner of the Department of Marine Resources may require mandatory reporting of data relevant to the harvest and processing of whelks.
